At a Glance
- Tasks: Join an agile team to develop software for cutting-edge defence projects.
- Company: Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national air defence while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong programming skills, teamwork experience, and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary Range:
Engineer £38000 - £50000
Senior Engineer £45000 - £60000
Principal Engineer £54000 - £70000
Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment. Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.
Your impact
Are you interested in working on one of the most cutting-edge defence and aerospace projects in the UK? We are enhancing the capability of the Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen and emerging GCAP platform and are looking for top engineers to join our team. As a Software Engineer at Leonardo, you will work in an agile team with 7-10 other engineers. Together with almost 100 other engineers you’ll be challenged to ensure the software development continues to form the backbone of the nation’s air defence capability for decades to come. You will collaborate with your colleagues to architect, design, implement and test new product functionality and contribute to planning the work and taking ownership for delivering it.
What you’ll bring
To be successful in this role, we really need you to have the following experience:
- Experience working within an agile team and familiarity with agile software development lifecycle
- The ability to collaborate and work with others
- Strong programming skills. For this role C++ will be the main language but we will consider anyone who has strong skills in other languages who is willing to learn
- Git (or equivalent) source control expertise
- The ability to develop suitable software solution from solution requirements
- The ability to trace, diagnose and resolve potential software issues. Familiarity with a debugger.
If you have the above skills, the following will really help you stand out:
- Familiarity with Signal Processing
- Experience working on complex products and codebases
- Familiarisation with component-based development
- Experience with working in embedded environments
- Experience using static analysis and code coverage tooling
- Knowledge of best practises for incremental development
- Familiarity with the Atlassian toolset
- Familiarity with Cmake.
This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.
Security clearance
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
- Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Flexible hours. Due to the nature of this role, full on-site working is a requirement.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website. Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know. Be part of something bigger - apply now!
Software Engineer (Senior Levels) in Edinburgh employer: Leonardo Worldwide Corporation
Leonardo is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Edinburgh where innovation thrives. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous benefits including a robust pension scheme, and extensive professional development opportunities, we empower our engineers to excel in cutting-edge defence and aerospace projects. Join us to be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and creativity, ensuring your contributions make a meaningful impact on national security.
Contact Details:
Leonardo Worldwide Corporation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer (Senior Levels) in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Leonardo on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your C++ skills and understanding agile methodologies. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for defence and aerospace! Research Leonardo’s projects and be ready to share how your skills can contribute to their mission. This will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer (Senior Levels) in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Software Engineer. Highlight your experience with agile teams, programming skills, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working at Leonardo and how your skills align with our needs. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! If you have experience with C++, Git, or any other relevant tools, provide examples of how you've used them in past projects. We’re keen to see your problem-solving abilities in action.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo Worldwide Corporation
✨Know Your Tech
Make sure you brush up on your programming skills, especially in C++. Be ready to discuss your previous projects and how you tackled challenges. Familiarity with agile methodologies is a must, so be prepared to share your experiences working in an agile team.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, expect to face some technical questions or scenarios. Practice explaining how you would trace, diagnose, and resolve software issues. Use examples from your past work to illustrate your thought process and problem-solving abilities.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Leonardo values teamwork, so demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively. Share instances where you worked closely with others to achieve a common goal. Highlight your communication skills, especially when discussing complex technical concepts with non-technical team members.
✨Be Open to Learning
The role requires a willingness to learn new technologies and practices. Express your enthusiasm for continuous learning and mention any relevant courses or certifications you've pursued. This shows that you're proactive and committed to personal and professional growth.
